Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ particularly characterized by having medium-sized, medium red fruit, a globose—semi-upright plant habit, and very early harvest maturity, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietydesignated ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ and botanically known asFragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered inHillsborough County, Fla. in November 2010 and originated from a crossbetween the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawNineteen’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 23,148) and the proprietary male parent ‘126R399’ (unpatented).A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via tissue cultureand vegetative cuttings in Shasta County, Calif. in 2010.

‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ underwent further testing in Hillsborough County,Fla. from 2010-2015. The present invention has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations viastolons and tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date ofthis application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Hillsborough County, Fla.

-   -   1. Medium-sized, medium red fruit;    -   2. Globose—semi-upright plant habit; and    -   3. Very early harvest maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as trueas can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.The photographs were taken from seven-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant withthree leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows both upper and lower surfaces of the flowers.

FIG. 3 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 4 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

FIG. 5 shows the entire plant habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Hillsborough County,Fla. from 2010 to 2015. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ was taken from seven-month-oldplants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition).Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, AnIllustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and MelindaWoolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFortyEight’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawNineteen’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,148).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘126R399’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—11.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—25.0 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—3.        -   Habit.—Globose — semi-upright.        -   Density of individual plant.—Medium.        -   Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).—Weak.-   Terminal leaflets:    -   -   Size.—Small. Length: 5.3 cm. Width: 5.6 cm. Length/width            ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad).        -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—19.        -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Medium green). Lower            surface: RHS 144B (Light yellow-green).        -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.        -   Blistering.—Weak.        -   Glossiness.—Absent or weak.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Shape.—Orbicular.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Margin profile.—Flat (level with the leaflet blade).        -   Variegation.—Absent.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Short; 8.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.31 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Dense.        -   Pose of hairs.—Outwards — horizontal.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Yellow-green).        -   Bract frequency.—0.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—6.05 mm.        -   Diameter.—2.14 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Yellow-green).-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—2.8 cm.        -   Width.—9.2 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Medium; RHS 32A (Medium            orange-red).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—Medium; 3.1.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Very            early; Late October to late March.        -   Flower size.—Medium.        -   Flower diameter.—21.88 mm.        -   Petals.—Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:            Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping.            Length: 9.88 mm. Width: 10.45 mm. Length/width ratio: 0.9            (As long as broad). Petal number per flower: 6. Color (upper            surface): RHS NN155B (White).        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 30.80 mm. Diameter relative to corolla:            Larger. Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size.            Insertion of calyx: In a basin — inserted. Pose of calyx            segments: Reflexed — upwards. Size of calyx in relation to            fruit: Same size. Adherence of calyx: Strong.        -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire.            Length: 11.57 mm. Width: 6.45 mm. Sepal number: 12.        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 145A (Yellow-green).        -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 13A (Yellow).        -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly upwards.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Length.—Medium; 18.6 cm.        -   Diameter at base of truss.—3.76 mm.        -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—3.        -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.        -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144B (Yellow-green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Relative fruit size.—Medium.        -   Length.—48.51 mm.        -   Width.—42.63 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.1 (Longer than broad).        -   Fruit hollow length.—21.71 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—4.26 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—5.1 (Longer than broad).        -   Fruit hollow center (cavity).—Medium.        -   Fruit weight.—25.3 g.        -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruits.—Slight.        -   Evenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 43A (Medium red).        -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit glossiness.—Medium.        -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface.            Coloration (sunward side of berry): RHS 60A (Red-purple).            Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS 151B (Yellow-green).            Number per berry: 320. Weight (weight of achenes divided by            total # seed): 0.0046875 g. Width of band without achenes:            Narrow.        -   Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Firm.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 34A (Orange-red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 31B (Light orange-red).        -   Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Sweetness.—Medium.        -   Acidity.—Medium.        -   Texture when tasted.—Fine.        -   Type of bearing.—Partially everbearing — partially            remontant.        -   Harvest interval.—Mid-November to late March.        -   Harvest maturity.—Very early.        -   Production.—356.7 grams per plant.-   Disease and pest resistance:    -   -   Tetranychus urticae.—Susceptible.        -   Botrytis fruit rot.—Susceptible.-   Stress resistance:    -   -   High temperatures.—Moderately resistant.        -   Wind.—Moderately susceptible.        -   High pH.—Resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ is compared to the female parent‘DrisStrawNineteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,148), ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’has a globose—semi-upright plant habit and medium red fruit with a lightorange-red core, whereas ‘DrisStrawNineteen’ has a flat globose planthabit and dark red fruit with a white core. Additionally,‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ has a fruit with a narrow band without achenes,whereas ‘DrisStrawNineteen’ has fruit with a broad band without achenes.

When ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ is compared to the male parent ‘126R399’(unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ is a less vigorous plant, withsmaller, more conic fruit than ‘126R399’.

‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,378), in that‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ has a globose—semi-upright plant habit andmedium-sized fruit that is medium glossy and has a fine texture whentasted, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ has a flat—spreading plant habitand very large fruit that is strongly glossy and has a coarse texturewhen tasted.

‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwelve’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,538), in that‘DrisStrawFortyEight’ has a globose—semi-upright plant habit andmedium-sized fruit having a narrow band without achenes, whereas‘DrisStrawTwelve’ has a flat plant habit and large-sized fruit having amedium band without achenes.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawFortyEight’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.